Data input device and data input method

Abstract

An efficient and user friendly data entry device and data entry method. At least a first symbol and a second symbol are printed on a key-top, and at least a first switch and a second switch are provided corresponding to the symbols. The first switch is activated when the first symbol is pressed, and the second switch is activated when the second symbol is pressed. When more than two switches are activated simultaneously, a predetermined output is provided.

1 . A data entry device comprising: 
 a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;    a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;    a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and    conversion means having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said conversion means producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation.    
   
   
       2 . The data entry device of  claim 1 , further comprising a third switch activated when a third part of the key-top is pressed, said conversion means further having an input coupled to said third switch, said conversion means producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first, second and third switches including simultaneous activation of two or more of said switches.  
   
   
       3 . The data entry device of  claim 2 , wherein the key-top is a triangle and the said first, second and third switches are placed corresponding to the three corners of the triangle.  
   
   
       4 . The data entry device of  claim 2 , further comprising a fourth switch activated when a fourth part of the key-top is pressed, said conversion means further having an input coupled to said fourth switch, said conversion means producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first, second, third and fourth switches including simultaneous activation of two or more of said switches.  
   
   
       5 . The data entry device of  claim 4 , wherein the key-top is a square and the first, second, third and fourth switches are placed corresponding to the four corners of the square.  
   
   
       6 . The data entry device of  claim 4 , wherein the key-top is a rectangular and the first, second, third and fourth switches are placed corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular.  
   
   
       7 . The data entry device of  claim 4 , wherein the key-top is a rhombus and the first, second, third and fourth switches are placed substantially within the rhombus.  
   
   
       8 . The data entry device of  claim 4 , wherein the key-top is an oval and the first, second, third and fourth switches are placed substantially within the oval.  
   
   
       9 . The data entry device of  claim 4 , further comprising a fifth switch activated when a fifth part of the key-top is pressed, said conversion means further having an input coupled to said fifth switch, said conversion means producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth switches including simultaneous activation of two or more of said switches.  
   
   
       10 . The data entry device of  claim 9 , wherein the fifth switch is surrounded by the first, second, third and fourth switches.  
   
   
       11 . The data entry device of  claim 1 , wherein the key-top is linearly shaped and the first and second switches are arranged in a line.  
   
   
       12 . The data entry device of  claim 2 , wherein the key-top is linearly shaped and the first, second and third switches are arranged in a line.  
   
   
       13 . The data entry device of  claim 1 , wherein the first symbol corresponds to the first part of the key-top.  
   
   
       14 . The data entry device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the switches is a dome switch.  
   
   
       15 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , wherein the dome switch comprises: 
 a dome-shaped metal switch; and a circuit board comprising an center and an outer ring insulated from each other,    wherein the outer ring contacts the bottom periphery of the dome-shaped metal switch constantly, and the center is connected to the top of the dome when the key-top is pressed.    
   
   
       16 . The data entry device of  claim 1 , wherein the key-top is made of non-conductive rubber,  
   
   
       17 . The data entry device of  claim 16 , further comprising at least two conductive pills at the bottom of the key-top, the first conductive pill corresponding to the first part of the key-top and the second conductive pill corresponding to the second part of the key-top.  
   
   
       18 . The data entry device of  claim 17 , further comprising a circuit board having at least two conductors, wherein the first conductor contacts the first conductive pill when the first part of the key-top is pressed.  
   
   
       19 . The data entry device of  claim 1 , wherein the output of the data entry device rotates in a direction determined in accordance with the status of the switches effected by a user's input.  
   
   
       20 . The data entry device of  claim 19 , wherein the output of the data entry device can be selected according to the user's preference.  
   
   
       21 . The data entry device of  claim 1 , wherein said conversion means comprises a memory having a conversion table stored therein.  
   
   
       22 . The data entry device of  claim 1 , wherein said conversion means comprises software means for converting activation states of said first and second switches to said output of said conversion means.  
   
   
       23 . A keypad comprising a plurality of data entry devices, each of said data entry devices comprising: 
 a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;    a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;    a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and    a memory device having a conversion table stored therein and having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said memory device producing an output having states    unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation.    
   
   
       24 . An electrical device comprising: 
 a keypad comprising a plurality of data entry devices, each of said data entry devices comprising:    a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;    a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;    a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and    a memory device having a conversion table stored therein and having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said memory device producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation; and    a control device for controlling predetermined operations of said electrical device in response to said output of said memory device.    
   
   
       25 . The electrical device of  claim 24 , wherein said electrical device is a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a remote controller, a PDA, or a cordless phone.  
   
   
       26 . The electrical device of  claim 24 , wherein said keypad is designed for facilitating single-hand use.  
   
   
       27 . A data entry method comprising: 
 activating a first switch to provide a first output when a first part of a key-top is pressed;    activating a second switch to provide a second output when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and    providing a first predetermined output according to a stored conversion table when the first and second switches are activated simultaneously.    
   
   
       28 . The data entry method of claim27, wherein the first predetermined output is neither the first output nor the second output.  
   
   
       29 . The data entry method of  claim 27 , further comprising: activating a third switch to provide a third output when a third part of the key-top is pressed.  
   
   
       30 . The data entry method of  claim 29 , further comprising: providing a fourth predetermined output when the first, second and third switches are activated simultaneously.  
   
   
       31 . The data entry method of  claim 30 , wherein the fourth predetermined output is none of the first, second or third output.  
   
   
       32 . The data entry method of  claim 29 , further comprising: activating a fourth switch to provide a fourth output when a fourth part of the key-top is pressed.  
   
   
       33 . The data entry method of  claim 32 , further comprising: providing a fifth predetermined output when the first, second, third and fourth switches are activated simultaneously.  
   
   
       34 . The data entry method of  claim 33 , wherein the fifth predetermined output is none of the first, second, third or fourth output.  
   
   
       35 . The data entry method of  claim 29 , further comprising: displaying the first, second and third outputs serially when a user rotates his/her finger on the key-top.  
   
   
       36 . The data entry method of  claim 35 , wherein the first, second and third outputs are displayed serially in a clockwise manner on a display device when the user rotates his/her finger on the key-top in a clockwise direction.  
   
   
       37 . The data entry method of  claim 27 , further comprising: providing the upper case of the first output when the user first presses three parts of the key-top together, and then presses the first part of the key-top.  
   
   
       38 . The data entry method of  claim 33 , further comprising: providing a sixth predetermined output when a user moves his/her finger along a first direction.  
   
   
       39 . The data entry method of  claim 38 , further comprising: providing a seventh predetermined output when the user moves his/her forger along a second direction.  
   
   
       40 . The data entry method of  claim 37 , further comprising: displaying all possible outputs related to the key-top serially on a display device when a user keeps pressing one of the first and second switches for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       41 . The data entry method of  claim 40 , further comprising: displaying the possible outputs in a first rotational direction when the first switch is pressed.  
   
   
       42 . A computer program product containing program code for performing the method according to  claim 27 .  
   
   
       43 . A computer program product containing program code for performing the method according to  claim 28 .  
   
   
       44 . A computer program product containing program code for performing the method according to  claim 34 .  
   
   
       45 . A method for controlling a data entry device comprising: 
 providing a plurality of data entry devices, each of said data entry devices comprising a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface, and a plurality of switches mounted    adjacent said key-top, one or more of said switches being activated when corresponding parts of said key-top are pressed;    arranging said switches of said plurality of data entry devices in a matrix;    scanning said matrix to determine whether a pressing state of any of said key pads has changed;    determining which of said switches are being pressed if a pressing state has changed;    determining an output state according to the switches being pressed.    
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising: displaying an indication of said output on a display device.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising: determining an output when a user releases the key-top.  
   
   
       48 . A sheet for manufacturing keys, comprising: a substrate; and a plurality sets of switches mounted on the substrate, 
 wherein each set of switch is arranged according to the shape of a key-top and comprises at least two switches, the first switch is activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed, the second switch is activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed, and both the first switch and the second switch are activated when a third part of the key-top is pressed.    
   
   
       49 . A data entry device comprising: 
 a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;    a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;    a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed;    a memory device having a conversion table stored therein and having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said memory device producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation; and    a display device for displaying an indication corresponding to said output of said memory.    
   
   
       50 . A data entry method comprising: 
 activating a first switch to provide a first output when a first part of a key-top is pressed;    activating a second switch to provide a second output when a second part of the key-top is pressed;    providing a first predetermined output according to a stored conversion table when the first and second switches are activated simultaneously;    providing a tutorial mode corresponding to a first conversion table to enable a user to learn about the input-output relationship based on the first conversion table;    providing a tutorial mode corresponding to a second conversion table to enable the user to learn about the input-output relationship based on the second conversion table; and    selecting one of the conversion tables as the conversion table to be used according to the user's preference.    
   
   
       51 . A telecommunication device comprising: 
 a housing member for a wireless device;    a key board including a plurality of keys representative of a set of numbers including 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the keyboard being coupled to the housing members;    one or more of the keys being representative of at least a first character and a second character, the one or more keys including a first portion and a second portion;    a first switch activated when the first portion of the key is pressed;    a second switch activated when a second portion of the key is pressed; and    a conversion device coupled to the first switch and the second switch, the conversion device having a first input coupled to the first switch, the conversion device having a second input coupled to the second switch, the first input being capable of transferring a first output indicative of the first character, the second input being capable of transferring a second output indicative of the second character.    
   
   
       52 . The device of  claim 51  wherein the conversion device is adapted to produce a third character upon receiving input from both the first switch activated when the first portion of the key and the second switch activated when the second portion of the key is pressed.  
   
   
       53 . A remote controller device comprising: 
 a housing member for a wireless communications;    a key board including a plurality of keys representative of a set of numbers including 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the keyboard being coupled to the housing member;    one or more of the keys being representative of at least a first character and a second character, the one or more keys including a first portion and a second portion;    a first switch activated when the first portion of the key is pressed;    a second switch activated when a second portion of the key is pressed; and    conversion device coupled to the first switch and the second switch, the conversion device having a first input coupled to the first switch, the conversion device having a second input coupled to the second switch, the first input being capable of transferring a first output indicative of the first character, the second input being capable of transferring a second output indicative of the second character.    
   
   
       54 . A telecommunication device comprising: 
 a cellular phone device including a housing member;    a key board including a plurality of keys representative of a set of numbers including 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the keyboard being coupled to the housing members;    one or more of the keys being representative of at least a first character and a second character, the one or more keys including a center portion, a first edge portion and a second edge portion;    a first switch activated when the first edge portion of the key is pressed;    a second switch activated when a second edge portion of the key is pressed; and    conversion device coupled to the first switch and the second switch, the conversion device having a first input coupled to the first switch, the conversion device having a second input coupled to the second switch, the first input being capable of transferring a first output indicative of the first character, the second input being capable of transferring a second output indicative of the second character.